Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 52, Decatur, Adams County, 29 February 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI Number 52

SIGNS A CONTRACT Biersdorfer, of Berne, Will Pitch for Minneapolis in the American LEAVES MARCH 15TH Is Controlled by Washington and Will Probably Go There Next Year Clarence Biersdorfer, th e clever southpaw pitcher, who hails from Berne, and who last season made his name famous in the Texas league,was in our city last evening visiting with friends and called at this office to tilk a little base ball dope. “Biety" as he is commonly called among his associates. informed us that he would this season wear a Minneapolis. Minn., uniform and play in the American as sociation, he having signed his contract and returned the same on last Thursday. At the close of the playing season last year his remarkable work in the Texas league showed up in such great form that the Washington American league team drafted him and paid to the Dallas. Texas, league team the regular draft price, and notified “Biety" that he was under their control for the coming season. Manager Cantillon who is with the Washington team and also owns the Minneapolis franchise recently decided that “Biety” needed a year in the American association and conse-1 fluently sent him to his team at Minn-I eapolis. His contract for the coming ' Beason calls for one hundred and sev- ; enty-flve dollars per month and he has ! been ordered to report at Chicago on 1 the fifteenth of March and accompany the team to Galveston Texas, for spring training. He is anxious for the Beason to start, as he likes to play the national game and says he will I work hard to make a showing in this company and’ as he puts it, he will Stick. “Biety” is a very clever left banded pitcher and while playing in- ! iependent base ball was always rank-1 ?d head and shoulders over his closest rivals. While not possessed with »ny amount of wonderful or terrific speed, “Biety" is of a cool disposition, md has a delivery that is deceptive to the very best of batsmen. He looks io be in the pink of condition and says that hg has been taking extraordinary good care of himself during the past winter. That “Biety" will make good Is the concensus of opinion of all who ire acquainted with his ability and bis many friends in this section of the Btatc wll watch his work with interest. ASSESSORS MEET 3 repartory to Beginning the Season’s Work on Monday SEVENTY-FIVE DAYS s Allowed Under the Law to Complete the Duty of the Appraisers • The assessors of each township of Adams county met at the court house today for the purpose of organizing for the years work. County Assessor Geo. Jentis presided and read a number of nstructlons to govern the appraisal >f various grades of property. A num>er of questions were asked and aniwered and the force of assessors and heir deputies feel able to do their dutes in a most efficient manner. They nust complete their work by May 15th leventy-flve days. The assessors are ®id $2.50 per day and their deputies 2.00. They will meet at various imes to compare notes and in other Fays assist each other in this very mportant work. It Is probable that slight reduction will be made in some ownships, at least on stock and grain nd other articles on which the value nd market price has decreased Juris the past year.

3OOSTING CONN FOR GOVERNOR. Representative Here Today Fixing Up Fence, Peter ongacher, formerly in the dry goods business at Berne, but now located at Elkhart, Indiana, was in the city today, looking after the interest of Charles Garard Conn, of that city, who is making an active campaign for the nomination for governor on the democratic ticket. Mr. Conn is a widely known manufacturer of band goods and Mr. Longacher says he has all the qualifications necessary to make a good candidate and he believes he will be the choice of the convention. THAT SALOON WAR A Message from Bluffton Gives Some Further Particulars PUTS OUT SEVENTEEN Two Licenses Continued Nearly a Year—Battle to Come Monday Bluffton, Ind., Feb. 28.—Remonstrances were placed on file at 5 o’clock this evening with County Auditor Orin D. Garrett, which means the abolishment of seventeen saloons in Bluffton and Harrison township and will make the entire county of Wells “dry.” The saloons which are put out of business will go out at the rate of two and three a month during the next eleven months, the last licenses now in effect expiring in February, 1909. These are the licenses of Calvin Ditzler and John Clark, which were issued at the February term of commissioners' court. The majorities shown by the remonstrances placed on file this even ing. four in number, one for each city ward and one for the entire township. ar e so large that it is not thought the saloon men will attempt to fight them, although reports have been circulated to the effect that every signer of the remonstrances would be sum moned to appear in commissioners’ court to testify to his signature. The test of whether or not the saloon forces will make a fight will develop at the meeting of the county commissioners, Monday, when the applications of Ed Stout for license at Poneto and of Gottlieb Rolle for license at Vera Cruz will come up. If Stout is defeated it will leave Poneto without saloons, and if Rolle loses out it will leave Vera Cruz with only one saloon until next November, when the last saloon there, that of John Lobsiger. will cease business. The war against the saloons has caused much argument, and in some instances boycotts are threatened. Through the country pledges were freely given that Bluffton business: men who signed the remonstrance would be stood by, while in Bluffton, on the other hand, because the grocers signed the remonstrance, the saloonkeepers have declared that they will buy no more groceries in Bluffton, but will have all goods shipped here from Marion. In addition to this, the saloon men have declared they will not sell a drink to the grocery fraternity, and those grocers who have been accustomed to their social glass will have to go thirsty so far as they are concerned. — r- O MISS BIGGINS WEDS CHICAGOAN Former Employe of this Office Becomes a Bride. We are in receipt of a letter from C. K. Hively, formerly foreman of this office, now residing in Chicago, in which he states that Miss Catherine Biggins, who lived in Decatur about two years, operating a Simplex typesetting machine at this office, was married Thursday evening At eight o'clock to Mr. Gus Kean, a master mechanic of that city. The letter says that Mr. Kean had provided for his bride a well-appointed home in a very attractive flat on the west side. A postscript says that Mr. Hively is prospering. Miss Biggins was quite well known here. ——o Miss Frances Bryson went to Portland this afternoon, where she will attend a leap year party given by Miss Hilda Tudor.

BY FANNIE M LOTHROP < \ \ 1 **Thotofrapb by Dixon. Toronto. PROFESSOR GOLDWIN SMITH The Greatest Living Master of Style In “The Grange.” a delightful, plain, brick house, half-concealed by the net-work of vines that cover it, with a wide sweep of lawn and grounds filled with old trees—a whole city block in the heart of Toronto, hedged in by high walls—lives Canada’s venerable author, Goldwin Smith. This greatest living master of style in the English language, as he has been called, has had a busy life in his eighty-two years, yet his own words prove it has been a serene and peaceful one. “According to the Psalmist,” he says, ‘if by reason of strength our years be fourscore, yet is their strength labor and sorrow,’ but I must say that while I have found mine full of the first, they have been free from the second." Born in Reading, England, he was educated at Eton and Oxford, graduating in 1845; two years later was elected a Fellow of University College, where he acted as tutor for some time, and though called to the bar, he never practiced. He was prominent in the two commissions appointed to examine into the condition of Oxford University which led to a number of salutary reforms. In 1858 he was made Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford, a post he held for eight years. During the Civil War in the United States he was a valiant champion of the Northern cause, and on his lecture tour in that country in 1864 he met everywhere enthusiastic and flattering receptions and received the degree of LL.D, from Brown University. In November, 1868, having resigned his ehair at Oxford, he again visited the United States and accepted the professorship of history at the newlyfounded Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y., where he lived for three years. On his retirement he went to Canada, being still Professor Emeritus of Cornell, where he was extremely popular with the students, who affectionately referred to him as “Goldie.” In Canada he soon found recognition and served in a number of positions that gave him opportunity to render invaluable service to the cause of education and letters, and on all questions of vital political interest his voice and his pen were ever ready. A long list of books on history, religion, national politics, philosophy and biography he has to his credit, yet a far greater bulk of material remains in his constant contributions to the newspapers and periodicals of his day. A rare scholar, a master of style, a great thinker, a fearless iconoclast, an able champion, a tireless worker, Goldwin Smith has been a mighty influence for good. Copyright. 1906, by Wm.C. Mack.

JOSHUA PARRISH GETS NOTICE. Pension Increased —Others Feel Effect of Mr. Adair’s Efforts. Congressman Adair has been urging an application for increase in pension filed in the pension office at Washington by old soldiers of this district and many of the veterans are receiving notice of favorable action. Joshua Parrish received notice yester day of a three dollar increase, on an old application and others have been pleased in a similar manner. ENTERS NEW FIELD Mr. C. O. France Resigns as City Editor of the Daily Democrat TAKES EFFECT TODAY Will Assume Position With Conter Ice Cream Company Mr. C. O. France, for five years city editor of the Daily Democrat, has resigned. the same taking effect today. On Monday he assumes a position as assistant manager of the Conter Ice Crem company’s plant in this city. During his services with this paper he has proven his ability and we regret decidedly his departure from the journalistic ranks into business pursuits of another nature. However, we know he will prove equally as capable and believe he will be successful in his undertaking. He will continue his services as city clerk, but will remove his office to the city building, corner Madison and Third streets, where his records may be found and where he will be at stated hours. "Bones” has an almost innumerable number of friends who join us in sincerely wishing him success and a rapid rise in the mercantile world. In his new position he will have charge of the sales department and collecting.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening February, 2q 1908.

THE SCHOOL BOARD Let Contracts for Cement Work and Other Improvements AT THE WEST WARD Butler & Butler and P, J. Hyland the Winners— Commencement Talk The school board met in regular session. last night and transacted business of much importance. The usual routine of allowing teachers’ and janitors’ salaries was done, after w’hich the bids for the construction of a cement floor and the installation of sanitary closets were opened. There were three bidders for the cement work, the lowest being Butler & Butler, who ask 79 cents per square foot. The contract was awarded to this firm and they are to put in 1.200 square feet of cement floor in the basement of the West Ward school building. The bids for the plumbing were then considered and as P. J. Hyland was more than one hundred dollars below the other bidders he was awarded the contract at the price of $754.00. After the close of school this work will be done and it will add much to the convenience of all concerned at the school. The board also talked of the commencement that w-ill be held at the Bosse opera house May 29th. As there are thirteen pupils who will graduate. It has not as yet been decided whether each graduate will be on the program for talks or not, but nevertheless it is safe to say that the commencement will be interesting and impressive this year, as in former ones. o— Receiver Jackman. of the Farmers' bank at Auburn, is preparing to pay the final dividend of 9 1-3 per cent to creditors of the institution. Previous dividends amounting to 50 per cent have been paid,

BRADLEY A WINNER Defeats Governor Beckham for United States Senator ENOUGH TO WIN The Liquor Forces in Kentucky Gain a Notable Victory Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 28. —Amid scenes of wildest excitement on the floor of the house of representatives former Governor William O'Connell Bradley, republican candidate, was today elected to succeed James B. McCreary in the United States senate for a term of six years, beginning March 4, 1909. He received sixty-four votes, barely enough to win, and was enabled to gain victory through the assistance of four anti-Beckham democrats, Senators H. S. McNutt and Albert Charlton, and Representative Chris Mueller, of Louisville, and Representative E. W. Lillard, of Boyle county. Until today they have voted for democrats for senator and their sudden rally to Bradley took Beckham men completely by surprise, although the latter claim to have information that a deal was effected by which the liquor forces were to elect Bradley in return for the defeat of the county unit bill in the senate. The completion of the first roll call showed Brad I ley slxty-four, Beckham sixty, Black . burn one. James one. Before the speaker could announce the result the . democrats obtained a recapitulation i and attempted to break the quorum by leaving the hall, but came back accompanied by Beckham, who authorized the withdrawal of his name and released the democrats from the priI mary nomination pledge to him in . I the hope that some other democrat ' would be named who could defeat j Bradley. The four bolting democrats were surrounded by life long party i friends and urged to withdraw their : support from Bradley and elect James ! McCreary, or any democrat they might name, but they remained obdurate, declaring that the proposition came too late. The democratic leaders promised . a caucus to select a candidate to which ; . the name of Beckham would not be presented, but the recalcitrants re-1 fused all offers and the result could not be changed. _o_ W. H. Fledderjohann and J. H. King I : have returned from a business trip to ] : Berne in the interest of the Fort Wayne & Springfield interurban. MANY PREACHERS Will Attend the Fort Wayne District Conference to Be Held Here BEGINS MONDAY EVE The Program is Far Above the Average and Many Should Attend > I All preparations are complete and the convention of the Fort Wayne dis- ■ trict conference of the M. E. church . will begin Tuesday night under the . most pleasant auspices. A glance at i the program is sufficient to convince > that the various sessions will be ini teresting. A large number of minisL ters who are well known in this city, ; will be here among whom are John • H. Vincent, Bishop; E. H. Hughes, I President of DePauw; Sherman Powell, W. B. Freeland, J. K. Cecil, P. H. I Walters. M. C. Pittinger, C. A. Row- - and', . M. Edwards, Hobbs, R. L. Se- > mans, Frank Lenig, E. A. Bunner. F. t A. Reicheldefer, P. E. Powell, C. King, > J. S. Cain, Preston Polhemus, J. S. 1 Newcombe, H. E. Gornall, G. H. Bright, • B. F. Hornaday, E. L. Lyons, J ,B. Cook, C. H. Brown, J. L. Hutchens, Leroy Baker, C. B. Dougherty, G. W. ’ Martin, W. P. Herron. S. F. Harter, r C. E. Line, W. E. McCarty, C. B. > Sweeny, F. P. Johnson, C. G. Nelson, l C. U. Wade, D. D., Henry W. Bennett, i D. D., H. N. Herrick D. D., T. M. Guild D. D., B. S. Hollopeter, D. D.

MABEL MELCHI, THE WINNER. Gets th e Five Dollar Prize in Word Contest. When it's easy, they all guess it, any way a good many do. Out of 210 answers filed twenty-two were correct. The five dollar prize was awarded to Miss Mabel Melchi, of Winchester street. Correct answers were also filed by twenty-two others. The missing words were “buy” from F. V. Mills, “your” from Gallogy & Lower, “other” from Gay & Zwick and “our” from Laman & Lee. The contest closes on next Wednesday. Only three more days after today. CLOAKROOMSTORY Early Convention Date to Put Adair Out of the Running IT’S JUST A STORY Congressman Adair is Reported as Desiring Late Convention Washington, February 29. —A story is being told about the Democratic cloak rooms of congress as to why the date for the Indiana Democratic state convention was fixed so early as to be unprecedented in party annals. The version told here is that Thomas Taggart was behind the movement for an early convention and that the specific purpose he had in mind was to have the convention “pulled

off" before Congressman Adair would | have time to go home and make a ; canvass for the nomination for gov-1 ernor. Mr. Taggart was not for Adair.' the story goes, and he had reason to believe that if the Eighth district congressman were given time and opportunity to “beat the bushes” it would be next to impossible to prevent him from capturing the plum. Adair had given his word to the people of the Eighth district that if he were elected to congress he would stay in Washington and attend with rigid fidelity to his congressional duties while congress was in session. Taggart knew this, it is eaid, and he also knew that Adair would hew- to the letter in keeping his promise. Adair, it is reported, hoped that the state convention would be put off until June. As congress probably will adjourn early in May a June state convention would have given him a month or six weeks in which to make a tour of the state and look after his fences. Mr. Adair’s friends say that if he had been allov-ed thirty days to marshal his forces throughout Indiana nobody could have taken the nomination away from him. _________ o .. A FEW SOCIETY NEWS NOTES. Just a nice crowd for the size of the hall responded to the invitations which were issued by the members of the C. B. L. of 1., for an informal dance last evening at their hall. The music was furnished by John Wemhoff and Barney Wetzberger, which made the evening more pleasant. Several of the elder members amused themselves by playing cards, while the remaining number danced. It has been proven that the C. B. L. of I. knew how to entertain, need we say more? The Ladies’ Aid society of the Christian church spent a very pleasant afternoon Friday with Mrs. J. T. Burke at her home on First street. Several papers on the “Ideal Woman" were iread, which contained many good thoughts. A dainty luncheon was served during the social session. The next meeting will be at the home of Miss Merle Burdg assisted by Mrs. John Fleming inside of two weeks. A large attendance of twenty-eight was present and one of the best meetings of this year ever had which was co thoroughly enjoyed. A very large number of Decatur people, especially from the Presbyterian church will attend the evening services at the First Presbyterian church at Fort Wayne Sunday evening, Rev. Masters will be Installed and Rev. Van Dyke, of New York City will be present.

Price Two Cents

SHOW WAS SUCCESS “Uncle Rube” Under Auspices of Modern Woodman Drew Large Crowd ON LAST EVENING All Were Satisfied and the Lodge Were Financially Well Pleased That the production of ‘ Uncle Rube” as given under the auspices of the Woodmens lodge lac* evening at the Bosse opera house was a success was evidenced by the dense throng that packed this popular play house and greeted the actresses and actors. Although this play has been staged in Decatur before, it is seemingly a favorite with the public as they were more than generous with their applause and many nice things said today concerning the production. The cast contained a number of old time favorites, who played their parts to perfection and carried out theit lines with p vim that meant success, and which carried the audience right up to the point, that caused them to sit up and take notice. Sam Shamp, as “Uncle Reuben,’ was a how-ling success as he carried his part out to the letter and his impersonation of an old man was excellent and by his clever acting he won his share of applause. O. P. Mills, as Deacon Smalley, was another excellent character, and he was well received by the audience. Clayson Carroll, as Mark, alhough not a very heavy part, did his work in a pleasing manner that stamped him l as a coming artist. Ferd Litterer as I Gordon Gray, was fine, as he seemed I to be at home on the stage, and han-

died his lines like a veteran. Dick Erwin Jr., as Upson Astorbilt, did himself credit and his acting seemed to be appreciated by the audience. Walter Johnson, as Ike. was a character true to life and never before in his theatrical career did Mr. Johnson appear to a better advantage. J. J. Helm as Bub Green was another character that made a hit with the crowd and his many antics and funny sayings kept the house in a constant uproar. Herb Lachot as Bill Tappan carried out his part in a pleasing manner, and as this was Herbert’s first ppearance before a Decatur audience he was entitled to much credit. Ada Murray, as Tags, was one of the leading characters of the play, and by many she was given credit as the star. However that may be Miss Murray did herself credit, (Continued on page 2.) IN POLICE COURT The Pace Too Fast for Julius Schmitt Fresh From Germany HE WAS ARRESTED After Hearing His Story He Was Discharged by Mayor Coffee Julius Schmitt, a full blooded German. who claims to have landed in America but five days ago fresh from his fatherland, was arrested last evening by night Policeman William Geary, on a charge ot public intoxication and was lodged in the Adams county bastile until this morning.when he was arraigned before Mayor Coffee. Schmitt could not talk a word of English and as a result he had every one going in police court by trying to make thm understand his situation. Finally in dispair, Mayor Coffee sent for Marshal Bohnke, who acted in the capacity of interpreter and the court soon had full possession of all the facts in the case. Schmitt according to his own story, arrived in Decatur Friday, and immediately looked up a situation, he being a blacksmith by trade, and in a short time secured a job, being told to report this morning. In the mean time he got mixed up in a pretty fast crowd, the result being that he took on board more bozo than (Continued from page 1)